Rugby Union: Bleach Boy is on song; SIX NATIONS RUGBY SPECIAL

ONE man who deserves all the praise and adulation that has come his way in the past week or so is Will Greenwood.

But, as the squad starts preparing for next weekend's home clash with Italy, I have to take the responsibility on myself to bring Mr Greenwood back to Planet Earth.

We wouldn't want his head getting too big to fit through the neck of his No13 shirt would we!

Yes, Will was outstanding against Wales. His hat-trick of tries showed that he has a fine turn of pace, good hands and is a fit, strong boy.

It will have done his chances of going with the British Lions next summer no harm whatsoever - especially in front of Graham Henry.

But let's put the record straight. For one, Will is a Manchester City fan. That's his first problem and only minor brain surgery can rectify that.

The other is that he is suddenly being talked about as a kind of rugby role model - a kind of 'Will Carling meets Jeremy Guscott' with a touch of James Dean.

I'm sorry, but Will Mark II may well score great tries and tackle as hard as the best. And he may go on to be captain of his country one day. But he's never going to be a rebel.

So youngsters who see him as a sporting pin-up with attitude should reconsider.

The fact is he's a straight-laced, level-headed public schoolboy who, in an attempt to get some recognition, dyed his hair a different colour.

Perhaps, having played so well in Cardiff, he might now cast aside the bleach. It never has suited him - and anyway he jumped on the 'barnet' bandwagon far too late!

When I mentioned to my wife that I was considering going blond she threatened to divorce me!

Will doesn't need to look different these days to stand out from the crowd. His hands, boots and brain do the talking for him on the field.

Beating Wales at the Millennium Stadium was a great start but it wasn't perfect because we still allowed them two tries, so there are things to improve.

The management are still not satisfied with things. They constantly demand that bit extra each time. And that's the way it should be. We have to improve...improve ...and then improve some more.

The big difference between this side and the World Cup one two years ago is organisation. The coaching staff and playing staff are so well organised now.

Our success has been built mainly on defence - which may sound strange seeing as we scored six tries in Cardiff.

But we practice our defence all week before a game with Phil Larder and Ellery Hanley working us very hard. It's only a day or so before kick-off that we go into attacking mode and try a few special moves.

The way of thinking is simple. If you can defend well it gives you the confidence to attack well.

I enjoyed coming on and doing my bit against the Welsh. I was happy with my performance and felt very comfortable from the start.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a game against Italy but that's all I can do. It's down to Clive Woodward to decide which team he feels would do best at Twickenham.

SIX NATIONS LINE-UP

Saturday, February 17

IRELAND v FRANCE (Lansdowne Road, 2pm, BBC1, 2pm)

ENGLAND v ITALY (Twickenham, 2.30pm, Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm )

SCOTLAND v WALES (Murrayfield, 4pm, BBC1, 4pm)

Saturday, March 3

ITALY v FRANCE (Stadio Flaminio, 2pm, BBC1, 2pm)

ENGLAND v SCOTLAND (Twickenham, 2.30pm, Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm)

WALES v IRELAND (Millennium Stadium, 4pm, BBC1, 4pm)

Saturday, March 17

FRANCE v WALES (Stade de France), 2pm, BBC1, 2pm)

SCOTLAND v ITALY (Murrayfield, 4pm, BBC1, 4pm)

Saturday, March 24

IRELAND v ENGLAND (Lansdowne Road, 3pm, BBC1, 3pm)

Saturday, April 7

SCOTLAND v IRELAND (Murrayfield, 1.45pm, BBC1, 1.45)

ENGLAND v FRANCE (Twickenham, 2.30pm, Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm)

Sunday, April 8

ITALY v WALES (Stadio Flaminio, 2pm, BBC2, 2pm)

SIX NATIONS TABLE

P W D L F A Pts

England 1 1 0 0 44 15 2

Ireland 1 1 0 0 41 22 2

France 1 1 0 0 16 6 2

Scotland 1 0 0 1 6 16 0

Italy 1 0 0 1 22 41 0

Wales 1 0 0 1 15 44 0

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